Friday, July 31, 2020

How Does God Reveal Himself


How Does God Reveal Himself

Creation reveals God (Roman 1:20) (Psalm 8:3-4)
His humanity (Act 17:26-28)
History reveals God – man perceives that God hides (Isa 59:2), Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:28).  He intervened in the affairs of great powers, such as, Egypt, Nineveh, Babylon, and Persia.
Heb 1:1-2 and John 1:10 and Matt. 23:37
God revealed Himself in many different ways, but people did not want to see even the little part that they did see.
Thru the Bible in Ex. 3:14; Isa. 45:5,21; Isa. 55:8; John 8:12; John 10:9; John 14:6; Isa. 44:24; Isa. 46:9-10.
The Bible is about God and humanity’s relationship to Him.  The image humans must ultimately conform to is that of Jesus Christ (Roman 8:29).

The Bible describes God:
Body - Phil 3:21
Head and Hair - Rev 1:14
Face - Gen 32:30; Ex. 33:23; Rev 1:16
Eyes and Ears – Deut. 11:12; Ps 34:15; Rev 1:14
Nose and Nostrils – Gen 8:21; Ex 15:8
Mouth – Matt 4:4; Rev 1:16
Lips – Job 11:5
Voice – Ps 68:33; Rev 1:15
Tongue and Breath – Isa 30:27-28
Arms, Hands, and Fingers – Ps 44:2-3; Ps 89:13; Heb 1:3; 2 Chron 18:18; Ex 31:18; Deut. 9:10; Ps 8:3; Rev 1:16
Shoulders – Isa 9:6
Chest – Rev 1:13
Back – Ex 33:23
Waist – Ezek. 1:27
Feet – Ps 18:9; Rev 1:15
God revealed Himself by becoming human. He became like us; walked and talked; served and taught among us. Gods greatest act of self-revelation was in Jesus Christ. (John 1:14).

Friday, July 17, 2020

Why God Uses Ordinary People


Why God Uses Ordinary People

Elitism prevails and those who promote it believe they are the only ones who can wield power. Especially within the religious.
God chooses to use those that the snobbish consider unschooled, ignorant, ordinary, weak, lowly, despised, common people to do great things for Him.
1 Cor 1:26-29
God uses such people so that God alone will receive the glory.
God can put His power and Spirit in them, making them capable of mighty demonstrations of the Spirit and Power. (1 Cor 2:4-5) (1 Cor 1:28) (Luke 10:21).
God is touched by humility and teachability, such a person, such a “baby”, God can train, fill with power, and use in His work.  People who reject the world, seek His kingdom and the creation at the beginning – the Garden atmosphere and presence of God.

Friday, July 3, 2020

Natural Man vs Spiritual Man


Natural Man vs Spiritual Man

Natural man seeks destruction, corruption, things of the belly, shameful things, earthly things, treats things as objects.
Spiritual man seeks God, life, building up, things of the Spirit, all that God made good in creation, heavenly things.
Natural man concerns himself with the excesses of life.
Spiritual man exercises self-control, is not abusive, obsessive.
Natural man seeks strong self and relies on no one. He is the center of all activity.
Spiritual man recognizes his weaknesses and throws himself upon God’s mercy, considers others before self, recognizes he needs help to overcome the world, he can do nothing of his own power.
Natural man makes his own rules and laws.
Spiritual man seeks to be the creation of God made and intended, following the law established in the Garden of Eden.
Natural man looks to self, sees no wisdom in forgiveness.
Spiritual man looks outside of self, understands and practices a life of forgiveness.
Natural man scoffs at the idea of servitude, serves only himself.
Spiritual man understands that service is a privilege in and of itself, seeks no gain.